NCJ Number
70257
Journal
Japanese Journal of Human Genetics Volume: 24 Issue: 1 Dated: (1979) Pages: 21-25
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
As many researchers have reported an unusually high frequency of 47,XXY males among criminals, this study aimed to estimate the frequency of abnormal sex chromosomes among Japanese juvenile delinquents.
Abstract
A consecutive X and Y chromatin survey was conducted among 1,581 Japanese juvenile delinquents over a period of 3 years. X chromatin screening by cresyl-violet staining of buccal smear was performed in both sexes, and Y chromatin by quinacrine mustard staining of blood smear only in males. If numerical abnormalities of chromatin were indicated, peripheral lymphocyte culture and karyotyping were performed. Among 1,371 males, five 47,XYY males and four 47,XXY were found (0.36 percent and 0.29 percent, respectively), while no numerical abnormalities of X chromatin were found in 210 females. Frequency of 47,XYY males in this study is significantly higher than that of newborns. With respect to sample size, for which the frequencies of 47,XYY and 47,XXY males have been estimated, the frequency of 47,XYY males among juvenile delinquents or mental defectives may have been overestimated in previous studies. However, the association of 47,XYY males with criminality cannot be ruled out, given that the frequency of such individuals among juvenile delinquents is higher than that of newborns. Tables and 28 references are provided. (Author abstract modified)